Trusted By All
50K+
Customers
65
Loads
22
Brokers
10+
Years of Experience
The Daily Bale
Natasha Post, Author
TractorTransport.com
Tractor Transport ships all agricultural equipment. This includes attachments and even just shipping the wheels of farm equipment. Whether you need to haul one set of tires or ship your farm machinery wheels in bulk, we’ll get the job done right. Keep reading to find out more about tractor wheels, their maintenance, and how to transport them.
Below are the four common types of tractor wheels and how they work.
Agricultural Wheels
Agricultural wheels have diagonal treads angled at 45 degrees. The treads allow the tractor to move quickly through mud and soil by providing the required traction. The wheels are also designed with small sidewalls to reduce loping and swaying when carrying heavy farming equipment.
Turf Wheels
Turf wheels are designed for lawns and grass surfaces. They have shallow treads that reduce potential soil compaction, which gives enough room to the grass and its roots. They also do not have tread bars hence can float over lawns smoothly without causing a lot of damage on the turf.
Construction Tires
When the features on agricultural tires and turf tires are blended, the result is construction wheels. Construction wheels are wide, balloon-like and with deeper tread and gravel. The wheels work perfectly on construction sites and are often found there.
Industrial Tires
Industrial tires have shallow and wide traction tread bars. Compared to turf wheels, their treads are wider. The design of industrial tire treads makes them very versatile. As such, they can grip different surfaces. They are also stiffer and more resistant to puncture compared to the other wheels.
How to Tell If Your Tractor Wheels Need Replacement
Vehicle owners who regularly maintain their tractor wheels can always tell it’s time for a replacement. If your tractor has modern tires, the slip indicator will record your tractor’s slip rate making it easy to determine whether you need a replacement or not. However, precisely determining if you have the old wheels may be difficult, and you may need to deploy your experience as an operator. One helpful indicator is checking how far the dirt is pushed backward by the lugs in the tire tracks. If you notice that the slips have increased, go ahead and check out for other signs such as
Unusual Vibrations
They come as a result of very low or unevenly distributed tire treads. You will typically hear the vibrations when you are speeding or slowing down.
Deflated Wheels
Deflated wheels are caused by a lack of air pressure. They are prone to damage and need to be fixed as soon as possible.
Irregular Wear
If your tractor wheels don’t have enough pressure, they will start wearing unevenly. The uneven wear causes the outer parts of the tread to come into contact with the road causing more tread wear.
Presence of Cuts or Bulges On the Surface of the Tires
The constant work and impact from the road can cause cuts and bulges on your wheels. These cuts and bulges are not good for your safety, and if not fixed on time, they can interfere with your tractor’s performance.
Cracks Due to Dryness
With time, the wheel materials may dry up and harden, causing cracks. The cracks interfere with the wheel’s flexibility and eventually lead to tread separation if left unchecked.
Tractor and Tractor Wheels Maintenance
Tractors are expensive heavy-duty machines that need to be well maintained. Taking care of the tractor wheels is taking care of the tractor. Below are some tips to help:
Read The Manufacturer’s Manual
Familiarizing yourself with the manufacture’s manual will help you know what and what not to do with your tractor’s tires. You will also get some hints on how to troubleshoot common problems.
Use Proper Tools
Tractors require large wrenches, jacks, pliers, among other tools. Get these tools to make your work easier and efficient.
Monitor The Tire Inflation
Tractor tires have their recommended air pressure in the manual, and going below exposes them to more tread wear and damage. Inflated tractor wheels also reduce the efficiency of the tractor and compromise its safety.
Refrain from Overloading the Tractor
Each tractor wheel has a loading capacity, and overloading can cause damage to the wheels and increase tread wear.
Keep Your Tractor and The Wheels Clean
Keeping your tractor clean will help you spot any leaks and damages easily. It will prevent the rims from rusting
Functions of Tractor Wheels
Generally, all tractor wheels perform the following functions
- They support the vehicle and associated loads
- The treads on the tires provide traction
- They absorb road shocks and protect the tractor from minor surface irregularities.
- They provide steering and directional stability.
- The wheels cushion the vehicle from the abrasive action of operating surfaces.
Shipping Tractor Wheels with Tractor Transport
The team at Tractor Transport is well-versed in how the wheels of agricultural equipment need to be shipped. We choose the best trailer to haul your tractor wheels, whether it be a flatbed, lowboy, or another more suitable trailer. We provide top-quality shipping for all tractor tires, whether you’re shipping one, a set, or hauling them in bulk. Call now and let’s get your tractor wheels moving! (877) 373-0109